Grand Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance "Arirang" Presented

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The presentation of the grand mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", a Kim Il Sung Prize laureate, began with splendor at the May Day Stadium situated on Rungra Islet in Pyongyang Tuesday evening on the occasion of the 60th anniversaries of the Workers' Party of Korea and the liberation of Korea. Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, appreciated the performance. Also appreciating the performance were Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok, Pak Pong Ju and other senior officials of the Party, the state and the army and working people in the city.
    Among the audience were members of a congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan, delegations and visiting groups of overseas Koreans and other overseas Koreans from various regions of the world who came here to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Present there on invitation were visiting Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, presidential envoy to the Far East Federal District of Russia, and other delegations of Russia, foreign delegations and delegates including the participants in the Meeting Dedicated to the Great Persons of Mt. Paektu and the World Conference in Support of the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, foreign diplomatic envoys and embassy officials, representatives of international organizations here and foreign guests.
    The performance began with the presentation of graceful dances on the field of the stadium to the tune of the song "Arirang" and the majestic sunrise over Mt. Paektu on its background. The extravaganza made a grandiose epical representation of the history of the sacred struggle waged by the Korean people, a history in which they have achieved independence and sovereignty, social progress and national prosperity through the heroic war of resistance and revolutionary changes, holding Kim Il Sung, the most distinguished great man, in high esteem as the father of the nation for the first time in the nation's history spanning 5,000 years.
    The performance stunned the audience with fascinating scenes as it was a combination of music, dances, gymnastics and acrobatics rich in national flavor and high in artistry, ever-changing background, peculiar stage decor, electronic displays, laser lighting, etc. When the performance ended, cheers of "hurrah!" shook the stadium and fireworks were displayed in succession to beautifully decorate the nocturnal sky in August. Kim Jong Il waved back to the enthusiastically cheering performers and audience. He expressed great satisfaction with the successful re-depiction of the grand mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" and thanked all the performers in the name of the Central Committee of the WPK, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and the DPRK government.

Barbados Preparatory Committee Formed

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A Barbados preparatory committee for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea was formed in Bridgetown on August 8. David Denny, chairman of the Barbados Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
    The preparatory committee decided to organize multifarious political functions till October 10 marking the 60th anniversary of the WPK in the wake of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation and conduct activities of giving wide publicity to the DPRK.

Seoul Headquarters for Joint Events of Koreans Formed

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The Seoul Headquarters of the South Side's Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the South and the North and Overseas to Implement the June 15 Joint Declaration was reportedly inaugurated with due ceremony at the Hungsadan Hall on August 13. It comprises at least 60 civic and public organizations, including pro-reunification, labor and religious organizations in Seoul.
    Speeches were made and a declaration was announced at the ceremony. The declaration called upon the Seoul citizens to take the lead in the struggle to achieve national reconciliation and unity, holding high the banner of the June 15 joint declaration.
    The ceremony elected four co-permanent representatives and the permanent executive chairman, four co-executive chairmen, a spokesman and the secretary general of the headquarters.

Pro-reunification Event Held in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- An "evening of fellow countrymen for independence, peace and reunification" was held at Kyunghee University in Seoul on August 14, according to south Korea's CBS. Present were at least 10,000 members of civic and public organizations including the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils and the People's Solidarity who were participating in the August 15 grand national festival.
    Speakers at the function noted that the fellow countrymen have suffered unspeakable misfortunes and pain from the national division. They called upon all the people to turn out in the struggle to bring earlier a new history of independence, peace and reunification.
    An art performance on the theme of national reunification was given at the function.

Seoul Festival for Achieving Peace and Reunification Held

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A function "Seoul festival for achieving peace and reunification by the concerted efforts of the Koreans" was reportedly held on the evening of August 13 under the sponsorship of the Seoul Headquarters of the South Side's Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the South and the North and Overseas to Implement the June 15 Joint Declaration. Pak In Ju, co-permanent representative of the Seoul Headquarters, and others said at the function that the Koreans who have undergone sufferings resulting from the foreign forces-imposed division should come out for independent and peaceful reunification on the basis of reconciliation and unity. The 70 million Koreans will advance toward independence, peace and reunification, they declared.
    Kim Ro Jin, chairman of the Seoul District Federation of University Student Councils under the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils, read an appeal to the Seoul citizens.
    The appeal called for taking the August 15 grand national festival as an opportunity to demonstrate to the world the ardent desire for reunification and the spirit of unity of the 70 million Koreans to rejoin the blood ties of the nation by pulling down the barrier of division to reunify the land from Mt. Paektu to Mt. Halla.
    Then followed colorful art performances given by members of the reunification vanguard made up of people from various fields belonging to the "Mt. Paektu-Mt. Halla grand march group for national reunification" including the reunification vanguard of children.

Actions for Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Launched in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The "Mt. Paektu-Mt. Halla grand march group for national reunification" reportedly held a meeting to vow to get the U.S. forces withdrawn from south Korea in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul on August 13. Present there were at least 1,000 members of the reunification vanguard representing different walks of life including workers, peasants and women belonging to the grand march group who toured all parts of south Korea from August 2, stirring up the desire for national reunification.
    Speakers said at the meeting that now is the time for all Koreans to go united in order to get the U.S. forces withdrawn from south Korea and pull down the barrier of division on the Korean Peninsula.
    An order demanding the U.S. forces' pullout read out at the meeting called for forcing the U.S. forces to pull out of south Korea to remove the constant threat of war from the Korean Peninsula.
    At the end of the meeting the members of the march group formed a demonstration team and attempted to enter the U.S. embassy in order to thrust the order to it. As the security authorities rushed a police force of 15 companies to the scene to totally seal off the area around the embassy premises, the enraged demonstrators lay down on the road and staged a sit-in strike, chanting slogans "The U.S. forces, Quit south Korea" and "Let's drive Yankees out of south Korea and achieve the reunification of the country".

DPRK Boxers Prove Successful

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- DPRK women boxers gave a good account of themselves at the Third Asian Women's Boxing Championships held in Taipei of China from August 6 to 11. At the championships that brought together at least 70 women boxers from 11 Asian countries DPRK boxers carried away four gold, one silver and one bronze medals. Ri Jong Hyang, Ri Hyang Mi, Yun Kum Ju and Ri Suk Yong beat all their rivals in the 48 kg, 50 kg, 57 kg and 66 kg categories, winning the titles.
    Ha Son Bi bagged a silver medal in the 54 kg category while Kang Kum Hui a bronze medal in the 60 kg category.
    People's Sportswoman Ri Jong Hyang was awarded the cup for the best player in the championships.

Meeting of International and National Organizations for Korea's Reunification

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A consultative meeting of members from national organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people and international democratic organizations was held at the Yanggakdo International Hotel on Tuesday in support of Korea's reunification. Present at the meeting were officials of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO), regional committees for supporting Korea's reunification, organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people and international democratic organizations.
    Kim Jin Bom, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People, and other officials concerned were on hand.
    The meeting informed of the past activities of the CILRECO and regional committees to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and realize Korea's reunification. And it discussed on the matters and ways for different committees and organizations to conduct solidarity activities in support of Korea's reunification in the future. An action program for reunification and peace of Korea was adopted at the meeting.

Scientists Prove Successful

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The "February 17 Shock Brigade of Scientists and Technicians" is registering big successes in different sectors of the national economy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea as a grand festival of victors. Members of the shock brigade, who have been dispatched to the agricultural sector, the main front of the economic construction for the year, have settled scientific and technical issues arising in implementing the policy on the agricultural revolution put forward by the WPK.
    Those in Hwangju County of North Hwanghae Province and Thongchon County of Kangwon Province have contributed to increasing agricultural production and improving the living standard of agricultural working people by introducing high-yielding strains of seed, advanced fish and stock breeding techniques and methane into rural dwelling houses.
    Those active at the Mangyongdae Farm and the Sariwon Tractor Parts Factory have laid a foundation for the comprehensive mechanization of two-crop farming a year. Meanwhile, Innovations have been made among the shock brigade members sent to main industrial establishments.
    Those working for the power industry sector have succeeded in introducing a new combustion technology and installing new efficient wheels in generators. They are striving to develop and apply technique of reducing the loss of electricity in transmission and making an effective use of electricity.
    Successes have been reported from those active at the Tanchon Magnesia Factory and the Tanchon Refinery. They have solved problems arising in producing quality magnesia clinker and building a modern sulfuric acid production process, thus opening a vista for giving fuller play to the might of the independent economy.

New Appliance for Studying Language Made in DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A new appliance for studying foreign languages at the initial stage has been widely introduced in the general education of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is music and video electronic means which helps children aged from 6 to 16 learn foreign languages by themselves.
    It is a portable one which creates an emotional studying atmosphere by sounding light and rhythmic music to suit children's feelings.
    The 120-page-long teaching materials have been recorded into 60 cards with the help of DSP language technology. They give the standard pronunciation of the given language.
    The appliance has been authenticated by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and highly appreciated by the WCGTC.
    The appliance helps pupils acquire foreign languages in a more quick and qualitative way than other teaching materials and reference books.
    It has been developed by the Music and Video Electronics J.V.C.

Anti-Imperialist Tribunal Run at 16th WFYS

     Caracas, August 15 (KCNA Correspondent) -- An international anti-imperialist tribunal of the 16th World Festival of Youth and Students was held in an amphitheatre in Caracas on Aug. 13 and 14. Present at the tribunal were Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias and at least 16,000 delegates of youth and students from more than 100 countries including the DPRK, honorary guests to the festival and citizens in Caracas.
    On display there were photos showing the atrocities and crimes committed by the U.S. and Japanese imperialists against the Korean people.
    The tribunal elected Venezuelan Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel presiding judge and delegates of the DPRK, Cuba, Britain, Spain, Mexico, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and the World Federation of Democratic Youth judges.
    Prior to a trial, the participants viewed display of a video tape on the aggression and wars and brutal atrocities committed by the U.S. imperialists in former Yugoslavia, Iraq and other regions of the world.
    The tribunal had hearings and made a judgment on charged crimes of the imperialists who have destroyed the global peace and security and committed ceaseless actions against humanity such as economic blockade and sanctions while resorting to aggression, war and occupation in various countries.
    Delegates of youth and students from different countries in their accusations brought to light the criminal history of the imperialists woven with aggression and wars and bitterly condemned them for the crimes against humankind.
    DPRK delegates made testimonies entitled "The U.S. imperialists' hostile policy toward the DPRK and their moves for isolating and stifling it are a unilateral aggressive act against a sovereign state and a crime against humanity" and "We denounce the moral vulgarity of the Japanese reactionaries who work hard to beautify Japan's unheard-of war crimes, distort the history and evade its responsibility for the settlement of the past."
    After hearing the testimonies and looking round photographic data, delegates of Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador and other countries said that they came to know well about the fact that the United States is the very one who divided Korea and has aggravated the military tension there and about the unimaginable massacres and plunder committed by the U.S. and Japanese imperialists in Korea.
    The participants expressed full support for the cause of the Korean people, chanting such slogans as "The U.S., hand off Korea at once!" and "Korea is one!" The Venezuelan president in a speech disclosed that the Bush administration has resorted to every conceivable scheme to obliterate the Bolivar revolution, stressing that the Venezuelan people would advance along the road of socialism, upholding the banner of independence against the U.S. and other imperialists.
    He called on youth and students to escalate the anti-U.S. struggle in close unity. The court passed a judgment that the Bush administration should be brought to an international court, stating that all the aggression and wars, economic blockades, and terrorist acts taking place in the world at present are attributable to the U.S. imperialists.

KPA State Merited Chorus Gives Performance

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The State Merited Chorus of the Korean People's Army gave a performance at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Aug. 16 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Enjoying it were Vice Marshal of the KPA Jo Myong Rok, director of the General Political Department of the KPA, Vice Marshal of the KPA Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, and officials of the military organs, ministries and national institutions and citizens in the city.
    Among the audience were visiting Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, presidential envoy to the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation, and his party and Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials and members of the visiting Russian State Academy Beryozka Dancing Troupe Named after N. S. Nadezhdina led by its Head Mira Koltsova.
    Put on the stage were the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung", immortal classic works "Nostalgia", "Dear General, Where Are You", "Song of Ten-point Program of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland", "Forest Sways," "My Native Place", "Vast Plain of Taehongdan", "General of Korea" and Russian songs "Way", "Day of Victory" and other choruses.
    The performers truthfully represented the unshakable will of the army and the people to eternally glorify the undying revolutionary feats of President Kim Il Sung and more dynamically struggle to achieve national reunification and the revolutionary cause of Juche under the banner of Songun, united close around leader Kim Jong Il, the greatest-ever commander.
    They successfully represented the sentiments and emotion of the Russian people through sweet and lyric Russian songs.
    The performance that proceeded in an atmosphere overflowing with the friendship between the two peoples was acclaimed by the audience for its high ideological value and artistry.

Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Yemeni Ambassador

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, received credentials from Yemeni Ambassador to the DPRK Marwan Avdulla Avdul Wahav Noman at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday. On hand was Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun.
    The president had a conversation with him after receiving the credentials.

Visits

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Russian Company Inter 'RAOEES" headed by its General Director Dod Ebgenii Vyacheslavovich and the second delegation of Japan for the study of the Juche idea headed by Toshikazu Suzuki, chairperson of the Shizuoka Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, arrived here by air today.

Pulikovski and His Party Return Home

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, presidential envoy to the Far East Region of the Russian Federation, and his party retuned home on Wednesday after participating in the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. They were seen off at the airport by Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned and Ambassador Andrei Gennadiyevich Karlov and officials of the Russian embassy here.
    During the stay in Pyongyang, they visited the hall of the national fine art exhibition for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea and the Pyongyang Metro.

Leading Members of North Side's Delegations Pay Courtesy Call on Roh Moo Hyun

     Seoul August 17 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Leading members of the north side's delegation paid a courtesy call on south Korean President Roh Moo Hyun on Aug. 17 after participating in the August 15 grand national festival for independence, peace and reunification. They were Kim Ki Nam, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF) who is heading the authoritiesf delegation, and An Kyong Ho, director of the CPRF Secretariat who is heading the non-governmental delegation.
    Present from the south side was Unification Minister Jong Tong Yong. Views on issues in promoting the cause of reunification of Korea were exchanged there. Then, President Roh Moo Hyun hosted a luncheon in honor of the delegations from the north side

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il se reune con presidente de "Washington Times"

    @Pyongyang, 17 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il concedio el dia 16 audiencia a Joo Dong Mun, presidente del periodico estadounidense "Washington Times", de visita en Pyongyang. @En la ocasion, el visitante le rindio saludo de felicitacion en ocasion del 60 aniversario de la liberacion de Corea.
    @El Dirigente dio bienvenida a la visita a Pyongyang del presidente, departio en un ambiente cordial y se fotografio junto con este.

Iniciada funcion gimnastico-artistica masiva "Arirang"

     Pyongyang, 17 de agosto (ATCC) -- La funcion gimnastico-artistica masiva "Arirang", galardonada con el "Premio Kim Il Sung" quedo iniciada solemnemente el dia 16 por la noche en el Estadio Primero de Mayo, enclavado en la capitalina isla Rungra, con motivo del 60 aniversario de la fundacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y de la liberacion de Corea. La presencio el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del PTC, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, junto con Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok, Pak Pong Ju y otros cuadros del partido, el Estado y el ejercito y trabajadores capitalinos.
    Tambien la vieron los miembros del grupo de felicitacion de coreanos residentes en Japon, las delegaciones y grupos de coreanos residentes en varias regiones del mundo y las personalidades coreanas residentes en ultramar, arribados aqui para participar en las actividades por el 60 aniversario de la liberacion de Corea.
    Entre los invitados figuraban Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, delegado plenipotenciario del Presidente en la zona federal del Lejano Oriente de la Federacion Rusa, varias delegaciones de Rusia, las delegaciones y delegados extranjeros al Encuentro dedicado a los Grandes Hombres del monte Paektu y a la Conferencia Mundial de Apoyo a la Reunificacion Independiente y Pacifica de Corea, representantes diplomaticos y otros miembros de las embajadas de varios paises en Corea, representantes de organizaciones internacionales y otros huespedes extranjeros. Al descorrer el telon, la funcion describio la majestuosa salida del sol en el monte Paektu y un gran numero de bailarines mostraron elegantes movimientos al son de la cancion "Arirang".
    Con sus episodios epicos, el espectaculo hizo narrativa de la historia de la sagrada lucha del pueblo coreano que despues de enaltecer, por primera vez en su historia de 5 milenios, al hombre mas destacado como padre de la nacion, vino defendiendo su independencia y soberania y logrando el progreso social y prosperidad nacional con sus heroicas batallas y cambios revolucionarios.
    La musica y la danza de fuerte matiz nacional y gran maestria artistica, la gimnasia y el circo, la pizarra humana sincronizada y ritmica, los originales aparatos de escenografia y los incandescentes y la iluminacion por laser y otros componentes de la Arirang llavaron al publico a un mundo fantastico.
    Terminada la funcion, las estruendosas "Vivas" volvieron a estremecer el estadio y el cielo nocturno de agosto fue engalanado con fuegos artificiales multicolores. El Dirigente Kim Jong Il reciproco con su saludo la efusiva aclamacion de los ejecutantes y espectadores.
    Se mostro muy satisfecho de la magnifica readaptacion de la Arirang y agradecio a todos los actuantes en nombre del CC del PTC, el CDN y el gobierno de la RPDC.